Lately, Chevrolet has been letting slip little details to enthusiasts...one thing at a time. And today continues that trend with an announcement that the Camaro ZL1 will be available as a convertible, making it one of a very small number of convertibles in the world that can boast its sorts of power and performance figures. The car will be first displayed at the LA Auto Show, next month, for all to see!

Also announced today is the Camaro's new gray color, to replace our old favorite Cyber Gray. The new color is called Ashen Gray, and can be seen on these new pictures of the ZL1 convertible!

But that's not all!!! For those interested in the tiny details, you'll note the ZL1 is sporting a new grille, different from the standard "egg crate" design that's been seen prior to today!

It's a GREAT day to be a Camaro enthusiast...especially one that prefers convertibles!!

DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today the brand’s most-powerful convertible ever – the 2013 Camaro ZL1 – will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. When it goes on sale in late 2012, it will deliver more performance and technology than many exotic cars and ultra-luxury convertibles.

“The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”

Like the coupe, the Camaro ZL1 convertible features a supercharged 6.2L “LSA” engine, SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm). That’s enough to exceed the output of 2+2 convertibles of many performance icons, including:

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante – 470 hp / 443 lb.-ft.

2012 Mercedes SL63 AMG – 518 hp / 465 lb.-ft.

2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S – 530 hp / 516 lb.-ft.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 – 550 hp / 510 lb.-ft.

The Camaro ZL1 convertible’s power is complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road or track. In fact, it’s the same balance of acceleration, handling and ride quality that enabled a Camaro ZL1 coupe recently to lap the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife course in 7:41.27 minutes.

From Day One, the architecture for the fifth-generation Camaro was designed to accommodate a convertible model, which gives the ZL1 convertible coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to quell the cowl and steering wheel shake common in convertibles. They include:

A tower-to-tower brace under the hood

A transmission support reinforcement brace

Underbody tunnel brace

Front “X” brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody “V” braces.

Additional structural reinforcements in the ZL1 convertible are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also reducing unwanted ride and body motions. They include a hydrofoamed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

The suspension of the ZL1 convertible uses the third-generation of Magnetic Ride. New, twin-wire/dual-coil dampers at all four corners enable faster response, with damping levels now adjusted up to 1,000 times per second – about one adjustment per inch of vehicle travel at 60 mph – making the system exceptionally responsive to changing driving and road conditions.

The Camaro ZL1 convertible will also offer Performance Traction Management as standard equipment, which is exclusive to General Motors. First introduced on the Corvette ZR1, it is an advanced system that integrates magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control, to enhance both launch-acceleration performance and corning.

The result is a convertible designed to preserve nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1 coupe, which goes on sale in early 2012.

That is news alright, I wasn't expecting this announcemnt so soon. I wonder how much its going to cost? Great to see the vert option, I dunno if I could wait that long though. I wanta cruise to the next camaro-fest in my new car. That must be the new front grill for the ZL1, looks great!

1BADZL1

10-10-2011 10:16 AM

awesome find!
But Zl1's are males...
and Convertibles are for girls! :facepalm:
:sm0:
Just kiddin...
Looks sweet don't it?
Love the look of the new grill for sure!
Still a coupe for me though..
:headbang:

payne.jeremy82

10-10-2011 10:27 AM

I am loving the new grill

fiascoes1

10-10-2011 10:28 AM

This is great news for you convertible guys, congratulations! I will still stick with the coupe.

10forty2

10-10-2011 10:31 AM

I'm not a convertible fan, but this one looks great! Happy that this choice will be available for those that want it!